I dislike holidays. No family, no one wanting to see me. I can’t go to the library ( closed) or a grocery store ( no buses).
Just sitting here reading.
Took the wife for her wellness exam (Medicare thugs!) yesterday. Her blood work came back pretty solid, with slightly elevated glucose (but she wasn’t fasting). She must have a hell of a metabolism, as she is really overweight at this point in her life. I worry about it, as we’re not exactly young’uns, but so far she’s defying the odds.
Cancelled out on the family gathering today. Strong chance of heavy rain and t-storms; having driven on I-94 in pouring rain, I don’t feel like making the 30 mile drive with crazy drivers on the road. Last time I did that, some idiot hydroplaned into the median right in front of us.
The cops are apparently going to really crack down on fireworks violations this year, which is good. Last year saw a lot of rambunctious teens driving around shooting fireworks at people and generally raising hell. I plan on sleeping through it all.
Started Typing: 9:48 AM ET
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Happy 4th to my fellow U.S. Mumpers! 
26 years ago today, I moved to Northern Virginia (from the Baltimore area) for my first tech writing job. I’d been doing temp/contract work since graduating from college five years prior, and the job – my first one with benefits – found me: I moved as soon as I could, because I wasn’t willing to deal with a 50-mile commute on I-495 for even one day. At the time, I figured I’d stay for 2-3 years and then move to Colorado or New Mexico or something…yeah, not so much. 
I’ve now lived here for half my life, or as long as everywhere else combined (CA, TX, NJ, Germany, MD, England, and PA). I guess NoVa/DC really is home! 
Because I know that you’ve all been dying to know, I’m happy to report that two days ago I did, in fact, recover from the banana chip extravaganza (LOL, boofae!) in time for my personal training session. And, as predicted, once I was there I was happy about it. 
I was supposed to go again today, but I woke up with a massive case of “donwanna” – plus, late yesterday I was invited to my BFFs’ this evening and it’ll make Husband BFF a lot happier if I haven’t been in a public place today (he’s still super paranoid about COVID because Wife BFF is immunocomprimised). So, I cancelled. Today’s session was going to be in lieu of Saturday’s usual session – at my trainer’s request – so now I won’t see him again until Tuesday. After having three sessions last week, though, frankly I’m alright with only having one this week!
Work-wise, the worst of yesterday’s anticipated staffing drama actually worked out (phew!) and our admin wasn’t as much of a PITA as I’d feared. I had a virtual voice lesson at 2:45pm, and – after making sure that staffing was good and that I’d touched base with our customer – I decided to take advantage of the “day before a holiday” vibe to log off work at 2:30pm. The voice lesson took just over an hour (it was great; I love my vocal coach), and it was really nice to be “free” afterwards.
Being done for the day at 4pm = Lego time! 
The Notre Dame set gets assembled in five main sections, mimicking the construction of the acual cathedral. Which I think is very cool. Yesterday, I finished the first two sections (the second one didn’t take long):
https://i.ibb.co/gVCyckw/PXL-20240703-210246529-PORTRAIT.jpg
https://i.ibb.co/9qk0NSL/PXL-20240704-010327424-PORTRAIT.jpg
The base is 16.5" long and 9" wide; when completed, the tallest point will be 13" high. So far, this has been a lot of fun to build. There’s a lot of repetition (e.g., put pieces X, Y, and Z together 16 times), but it doesn’t bother me as much as the repetition in some other sets has. I’ve only gotten through bag #14 (of 34), but I already know that I’ll kind of miss building this when I’m done! I’m looking forward to working on it some more this afternoon, between lunch and heading to my BFFs’.
I always have something playing on the TV while I assemble: it’s gotta be something I like but don’t have to pay much attention to, because although I can see the TV from the kitchen table I’m focused on the instructions and I really just want the “company” (oddly, music doesn’t work). Lately it’s been West Wing episodes, because I’ve seen all of them a bajillion times, but today’s selection will be 1776 – which I’ve also seen a bajillion times, but feels appropriate.
A lot of my colleagues will be off tomorrow, but I won’t mind working because it should be quiet (
). I have a mid-afternoon appointment for a mammogram*, and I’m hoping that by the time I’m back home/online there won’t be much of anything to do for the rest of the day. Then, I have another gig rehearsal to look forward to on Saturday. 
*Gotta love July mammograms: it’s gonna be 90+ degrees, but don’t wear any antiperspirant/deodorant…
I bet that somewhere along the way they were encouraged – by some well-meaning person – to apply for “stretch” jobs. Not understanding that “stretch” means maybe you’re just under the required years of experience, etc. – not completely unqualified!
!!
Well, that’s what happens when you post on an empty stomach.
That might be the sweetest five words I’ve ever read. 
Me, too! 
(The other half of me is Italian. 
)
Ugh!! I hope that can be taken care of soon. 
I should have made the statement clear; their skill sets were above what is required, and they were supervisory staff to boot. There was no administrative stuff in their resumes other than certifying an employee’s timecard or writing a performance evaluation. There is so much to the MPA job, and while I don’t expect someone to come in knowing everything, I expect them to have the basics of internal controls, records management, travel and fleet, purchasing, and IT. I also had people completely overqualified regarding needs, much like I was, and I’m afraid they wouldn’t stick around. And, while I can appreciate everyone wanting to move up, I know that at least two of those applicants would be gone in less than a year. Their resumes bear this out—they job hop.
I talked to my boss about some of the applicants yesterday afternoon. He and I may want different things, but he hasn’t had a chance to review the resumes yet, so I don’t think he completely grasped what I was trying to tell him.
Finally, I understand some people want the hell out of a bad situation and will take anything, even a downgrade (which it would be for some people). Two of the applicants asked we contact them before contacting their current supervisors. Having had a really bad supervisor at my previous organization, I get it, but it still makes one pause.
I have my top three but struggle with the top five. I know who I don’t want, so we’ll see. Several people didn’t read the job announcement, and their resumes weren’t written for the advertised position. The position announcement clearly stated it wasn’t a remote position, and in-office, days are expected, stating their preference was remote.
Oh well. It’ll be interesting, I guess.
3.06 mph, baby! 
OK, it’s not my best; but I finally breached 3 mph again.
Oh, damn, that was me last night. A buncha shit happened at once, and I slammed my hands down onto the steel counter in sheer frustration. I wear rings, so when that happens, it can be heard.
One of my co-workers, who was trying to be nice, said, “You’re alright.”
Me: “I’m NOT alright, and don’t TELL me what I am, when I’m not.”
Marched my sorry ass back up to the drive-thru window, and was just sweet as pie.
… unless you know me well enough, to hear the difference between “I’m nice, tee-hee!” and "I’m … nice … dammit … " (with slightly gritted teeth)
There was a weird conversation one night about us bringing in our own cows, so we could make our own cheese …
… the logistics of feeding said cows …
I will absolutely announce this at work.
… and then will hafta 'splain …
It’s one of the “all hands on deck” shifts.
If he can’t toe the line on his own to remain living independently perhaps an adult group home arrangement would benefit him.
A group home would be ideal. The problem is finding the space. And the organization that places people in homes needs a referral from a psychiatrist - I think the hospital psychiatrist can provide that, but for now, they’re involved in trying to keep him functional in his current place. We’re to stay out of it.
Daughter and her crew will be here pretty soon. I’ve got the slider toppings ready to go, so all that remains is to cook 'em up, and that’ll happen in about an hour.
The Weather Channel is showing storms moving thru in the 5-7 time frame, gone when I was planning to do the sparklers, so fingers crossed. We’ve got 60 sparklers and 100 pop-its for our amusement. The rain coming thru first will be extra protection against our yard catching fire! 
Except it’s fairly lush, and I’ll have a hose standing by. Chance of fire is minimal.
I hope…
If the question of BIL living with you actually arises, I do worry that his having threatened someone with a boxcutter creates a legal child/elder welfare/endangerment consideration (whether or not he poses an actual threat, he’s already brandished a weapon and that has been documented). If you don’t want him living with you, this might be positive news.
They did some changes in Philly this year and blocked off the parkway for ticketed people. I guess they are going for more security.
The tickets are free, you sign up for them. Usually there are tents with various businesses, not this year.
I am staying in. No freebies, no rc.
Howdy Y’all! Lots o’ fun and good eats today. We had jalapeño poppers and artichoke dip (with fancy pita chips) to munch upon out by the cee-mint pond. It was cloudy off and on but everyone had fun hangin’ out under the gazebo and in the pool. We et around three-thirty and everyone was gone by four-thirty. We have showered and the dishwasher is dishwashin’ away as I post. I am now ready for some Netflix and chill. Plus popcorn.
doggio the wife beater is red, white, and blue in honor of the holiday.
BooFae I could back a candidate like Count Binface!
JtC AWWW for GG gettin’ to sleep with his hoomans! Enjoy the bbq with the kinfolk.
MOOOOOOM looks like a glimmer of hope for BIL stayin’ in his place. Hope it works out.
Pilot hope BB and you work out a solution that works for the both of ya.
red that scorecard thingy is both creative and fun.
Cookie cancellin’ out on the gatherin’ due to the bad weather sounds wise on your part.
Oopsie have a great time at BFF’s place. The Lego Notre Dame is lookin’ good!
shoe I always so enjoy your irk stories. Hope today is not too awful, even though it probably will be.
rocker I here ya. If’n I’m gonna go to a public thang like that I at least want some swag!
No extra guests, then?
Good afternoon all. Did a little shopping today (tomorrow will be the big day) and got to the gym for about 75 minutes of pedaling, I did gain weight from my trip but still am below my 220lb goal, so I’ll work with that. Rain is due in about 3-4 hours according to the weather wizards, so that may tamp down the evening festivities. 96F currently and it feels like it. Outside of dinner nothing much planned for the evening. Did check on my Annuity that updates quarterly and it’s doing fine. So the evening will be devoted to sloth.
FCM, looks like it’ll be clearing around 7pm as predicted (checked Weather Underground) so hope the kids enjoy the sparklers.
shoe, hope the co-workers feelings weren’t bruised, but yeah, you know you best. I would have said ‘we cool?’ or something myself.
flyboy, congrats on the 3-mile barrier falling to you. I did 800 calories of pedaling today and feel pretty good right now.
Taters, best of luck on making the choices; I had to do it once or twice in my Government career and while I think I did well, it was not the most pleasant job I ever had.
German/French for me. 
And nice work on Notre Dame and life in general.
“I have come to the conclusion that one useless man is called a disgrace, that two are called a law firm, and that three or more become a Congress. And by God, I have had this Congress” One of my all-time favorites.
Getting around time to consider the evening meal, so take care all.
Sticky Buns, so sorry you’re having more trouble; there is an old saying that the poorest performing Med student who graduates still gets to be called “Doctor”. Hope things go better.
I’m glad I got my walk in early. It’s getting crowded along the beach. And I rode the R1 to the supermarket and then to the corner market. 
I have 2 interviews tomorrow. Hoping.
Spot and I slothed. Having a Royal Hawaiian, and Bo seasoned chicken for dinner.
Yay! They certainly can’t be worse than the current one.
Cathedral is looking good, Oopsie.
I do the same thing in the studio. Stuff that I don’t have to pay much visual attention to works, hence a lot of documentaries.
I like the cathedral oopsie.
The apartment is clean, laundry done, groceries bought and supper et. In a bit, I’ll finish the second card from a new-to-me set of dies of Seuss-esque trees. I like them, but it took a couple of trees before I figured out how to put them together.
Sorry. That’s crummy.
Dinner has been consumed. I had a 5-ounce cheeseburger on Delightful Multi-Grain, a ¼-pound Hebrew National dog (naked), cottage cheese, and a dill pickle spear. The Spousal Unit had a hot dog on regular bread, potato salad, and a dill pickle spear. Mets were cooked on the barbie.
Doing another paint test on the sacrificial fairing. Got the dishwasher loaded and running. There are explosions outside. Abbey’s under a bed. CatMom gave her some kitty calming treats. Goo is asleep on the couch next to me, unfazed.
No explosions here yet. Dinner will be shredded chicken breast marinated in aji mirin, coconut amines, and sesame oil, set atop salads. Mine will have cukes, tomatoes, and sesame seeds; lovely wife’s will have carefully seeded cuke and spinach, because she’s in her colonoscopy prep range. She will have a GF DF “ice cream” bar, and I will have raspberry sorbet.